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05-11-2009, 15:23

Fellow Wanderlodgers:

Took my 83 FC-35 for its first trip of 2009 last week. Drove out to Missouri
for a camping trip with friends.

Half way there, I heard a loud noise and lots of clanking around under my
engine.

I pulled the bus over to learn the electric operated clutch fan on my 250 HP
3208 seized completely. The metal bridge that carries the wires from the block
to the fan sheared off taking a belt with it too.

Luckily, the fan was designed with clips that can be put into place to lock the
clutch into a full on position. We installed the clips and continue on our way.

As you might imagine, the clips don't work very long. They sheared off on the
way home. Had a few scary hills where my engine temp exceeded 220 degrees.

I'm going to contact Bluebird tomorrow to see how much it costs to replace the
electric clutch fan.

I can imagine that it won't be cheap. I'm wondering if I'm not better off
replacing it with a standard 3208 hydraulic (non-electric) clutch fan.

Anybody have any experience with this?

Last year I stopped at a junk yard in Ohio and found a mid 80's Bluebird All
American with a stock bumped out grill. It adds about 4" of space in front of
the radiator on our FC models. I bought it of course, and may install it this
weekend - with an auxillary electric fan. I figure the aux. electric fan can
help on big hills, or when my clutch fan seizes again!

Andy Coleman
83' FC-35
Spring Lake Hts., NJ

05-11-2009, 16:32

Andy - The old electric clutches are orphans. No new clutches and no parts
(except bearings). Horton used to build a new replacement air clutch for
Wanderlodge. While new Hortons are no longer available they still sell a
rebuild.

The Horton clutch requires a different fan. When I did mine Horton could not
supply a fan but American Cooling had a fit. I have the information somewhere.

Because the Horton clutch is air, an air line must be provided along with an
electric-to-air relay to operate the clutch from the existing temperature
switch.

Given the right parts and pieces it all goes together with a minimum of fuss.
Expect about $1300 for list price parts.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman" wrote:
>
> Fellow Wanderlodgers:
>
> Took my 83 FC-35 for its first trip of 2009 last week. Drove out to Missouri
for a camping trip with friends.
>
> Half way there, I heard a loud noise and lots of clanking around under my
engine.
>
> I pulled the bus over to learn the electric operated clutch fan on my 250 HP
3208 seized completely. The metal bridge that carries the wires from the block
to the fan sheared off taking a belt with it too.
>
> Luckily, the fan was designed with clips that can be put into place to lock
the clutch into a full on position. We installed the clips and continue on our
way.
>
> As you might imagine, the clips don't work very long. They sheared off on the
way home. Had a few scary hills where my engine temp exceeded 220 degrees.
>
> I'm going to contact Bluebird tomorrow to see how much it costs to replace the
electric clutch fan.
>
> I can imagine that it won't be cheap. I'm wondering if I'm not better off
replacing it with a standard 3208 hydraulic (non-electric) clutch fan.
>
> Anybody have any experience with this?
>
> Last year I stopped at a junk yard in Ohio and found a mid 80's Bluebird All
American with a stock bumped out grill. It adds about 4" of space in front of
the radiator on our FC models. I bought it of course, and may install it this
weekend - with an auxillary electric fan. I figure the aux. electric fan can
help on big hills, or when my clutch fan seizes again!
>
> Andy Coleman
> 83' FC-35
> Spring Lake Hts., NJ
>

05-12-2009, 01:30

As Bob pointed out, there are no parts available for the electric fan system. I know lots of people have converted to the Horton fan but I'm wondering what fans were available for 3208's in other applications. Ford trucks had the engine. Did they use electric or air fans? Or, did they have a viscous clutch?

Kerry FC 35
Denver

05-12-2009, 02:46

My 78 35' FC has a viscous fan clutch. I replaced it a few years ago because I
thought that it was not working properly. It had a Ford DH truck number on it.
All HD Ford truck stuff is now Sterling. I ordered the clutch from Sterling. As
I remember it was about $500 Canadian, delivered. I used the old fan.

Peter Haggins
78 35' FC
Prairie Dog

05-12-2009, 02:50

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, david edwards
wrote:
>
> As Bob pointed out, there are no parts available for the electric fan system.
I know lots of people have converted to the Horton fan but I'm wondering what
fans were available for 3208's in other applications. Ford trucks had the
engine. Did they use electric or air fans? Or, did they have a viscous clutch?
>
> Kerry FC 35
> Denver

Kerry or Bob just wondering when did they start using these electric fans? I
don't think on mine that I have one or do I? Seems like the newer you get on
these old coaches the more problems you can run into. Well got out to my coach
last night and checked all my water lines to see if they all had kept up well
over the winter and no problems. Got one problem although and that well it a
simple fix one of the handles on one of the drain valves has worn out on the
tread part but I think a 42 year x shipyard Marine machinist can fix that??? Ha
>

05-12-2009, 05:19

Umm, maybe the electric clutch started between '78 and '84? Actually it
probably started with the turbo engine.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

> Kerry or Bob just wondering when did they start using these electric fans? I
don't think on mine that I have one or do I? Seems like the newer you get on
these old coaches the more problems you can run into.

05-12-2009, 05:23

Mine's an 82 NA and it has the electric fan clutch. Perhaps it was added later
since the original ownwer also added a turbo and retarder.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "freewill2008" wrote:
>
> Umm, maybe the electric clutch started between '78 and '84? Actually it
probably started with the turbo engine.
>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
>
> > Kerry or Bob just wondering when did they start using these electric fans? I
don't think on mine that I have one or do I? Seems like the newer you get on
these old coaches the more problems you can run into.
>

05-12-2009, 05:27

Anyone know if this early viscous clutch is a straightforward adaptation on to
the 3208 that had the electric clutch? Peter, do you have the part number?
Since most of these electric clutches are probably reaching the end of their
useful lives, it might be good to know if a person could carry a relatively
inexpensive replacement part in anticipation of the electric one giving up the
ghost.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "susanmarycamilleri"
wrote:
>
>
> My 78 35' FC has a viscous fan clutch. I replaced it a few years ago because I
thought that it was not working properly. It had a Ford DH truck number on it.
All HD Ford truck stuff is now Sterling. I ordered the clutch from Sterling. As
I remember it was about $500 Canadian, delivered. I used the old fan.
>
> Peter Haggins
> 78 35' FC
> Prairie Dog
>

05-12-2009, 05:35

Anyone know if this Horton fan clutch will work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/991400-FA...AT-32\
08_W0QQitemZ370197963203QQcmdZViewItem

kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

05-12-2009, 05:39

here's a used parts site with a variety of used fan clutches for the 3208:

http://www.heavytruckparts.net/partlistm...artID=3260

kerry
82 FC 35
Denver